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Listen to... Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea - Problem

According to Ariana's new song, she has one less problem thanks to letting go of her no good boyfriend. From the sounds of this song she also has one less problem worrying about catching a hit, because she has one here.

"Problem" is at least different and harder than anything which was on Ariana's debut, but I still don't think she comes through enough on the song which is a problem for me. She feels like a non presence on it between Iggy's verse, which is by no means great and the chorus where the 808's and the horns still the show. But with a strong visual, this song could win me over. It honestly would take much. It's catchy and has enough sass going on for it in the production to make me like this song more than I do. But Ariana should have been coming through on this song in a white white beater and Doc Martens on a wrecking ball. But she's still just a mouse running from the beat.

Ariana's follow up to Yours truly will be dropping this year and features productions from Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Zedd, Benny Blanco, Ryan Tedder, Key Wayne, Thomas Brown and Rodney Jerkins, all of whom are no strangers to hits. Each of these guys have produced for a wide range of artists spanning many styles, so it will be interesting to hear what direction the sound of her album will go in as a result.

Ariana's debut album Yours truly too by numbers and didn't leave much of a lasting impression on me other than how impression-less Ariana's music is. "Problem" leaves me with the same type of non-impression. Ariana has a nice voice and on social media and in select interviews she's sassy, quick witted and headstrong. So I don't get why none of this comes through in her music. Hopefully between the bevy of talent crafting the songs for her, they can bring it to the forefront of the music to deliver something with some fire behind it. Because nice vocals can only get you so far.